ATOC 181 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Smog, Frostbite, Radiosonde
12 Oct 2017
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Document Summary
Most in lower atmosphere (12km) in the troposphere. Atmosphere: gaseous part extends from surface to exosphere (fading into space). Surface highs: fair weather systems (winds around a high blow clockwise and spiral outward) Surface lows: stormy weather systems (winds around a low blow counter-clockwise and spiral inward) Highs and lows generally move from w to e across n. a. Surface air pressure is proportional to weight column of air over a unit area at earth"s surface. Earth is 150m km away from the sun (solar radiation drives the weather) Types of weather & climate in the atmosphere. Thin envelope of gases and tiny particles surrounding earth. 99% of its mass confined to a layer 1/4% if the earth"s diameter. Essential for life: contains oxygen and co2 for life sustaining processes. 99% of at gases (including water vapour) extend only 30 km above earth"s surface. Most weather occurs within the first 10-15 km.
